NPR News: 07-14-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now — Episode Summary: July 14, 2025, 5PM EDT

On this episode of NPR News Now, listeners are presented with a comprehensive roundup of the day's most pressing news stories, delivered by host Windsor Johnston. Covering topics from governmental policy changes and natural disasters to innovative healthcare approaches and cybersecurity incidents, the episode offers in-depth insights and expert commentary.

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1. Potential Funding Cuts to Public Media

The episode opens with a Public Media Advocate highlighting a concerning development for public media in the United States. At [00:00], the advocate states:

"The House of Representatives has approved a White House request to claw back two years of previously approved funding for public media. This rescissions package now moves on to the Senate. This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it."

The advocate urges listeners to take action in support of public media, emphasizing the critical role these institutions play in the community.

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2. Supreme Court Decision on the Department of Education

Transitioning to federal matters, Windsor Johnston reports at [00:25]:

"The U.S. Supreme Court has handed President Trump a win."

Sequoyah Carrillo elaborates at [00:41], explaining:

"The court ruled to stay an injunction put in place last month by a federal judge in Massachusetts that had halted much of the Trump administration's moves to gut the Department of Education. The prior ruling had directed the administration to reinstate many of the nearly 1,400 workers it had laid off."

This temporary stay allows the administration to proceed with its plans, though it raises concerns among states and school districts. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissenting opinion, argued:

"Only Congress has the authority to abolish the department."

Carrillo warns that without a lasting injunction, the department could face irreversible damage before a final ruling is rendered.

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3. Catastrophic Flooding in Texas

In a segment on natural disasters, Johnston transitions at [01:28] to severe flooding in Texas:

"Hill country search and rescue teams are still at work as flood watches remain in effect more than a week after catastrophic flooding swept across the region. The death toll stands at 132, with at least 160 people still missing."

During a Kerr County commissioners' meeting, Sheriff Larry Litha provides an update at [01:47]:

"The state and federal government have continued to provide the necessary resources and assets needed to aid search and recovery efforts."

However, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly voices uncertainty at [01:57]:

"You know, how long is it going to take? You know, who knows? I think we'll still go strong for another month or two, up to maybe six months, winding down as we move on."

Litha adds at [01:57] that ongoing rain and rising river levels have delayed search efforts, urging patience as emergency management remains an ongoing process.

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4. IRS Decision on Churches Endorsing Political Candidates

Shifting to national politics, Johnston reports at [02:22] on President Trump's luncheon celebrating the White House faith office. Danielle Kurtzleben narrates:

"President Trump, joined by advisors and cabinet secretaries, spoke on a wide array of topics. But he particularly lauded a decision the IRS announced last week to allow houses of worship to endorse candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, a rule known as the Johnson Amendment."

At [02:53], President Trump comments:

"Now, you see people, if they like somebody, they're able to talk about that somebody for office, right? Jenny? We're able to talk about a certain politician that has your values and likes your religion. It's okay."

Kurtzleben further explains that only one church has ever lost its tax-exempt status due to this rule, though conservatives argue it has led to costly investigations for some churches.

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5. Financial Markets and Wildfires Impacting the Grand Canyon

At [03:16], Johnston provides a brief update on financial markets:

"At the close on Wall Street, the Dow was up 88 points."

He then shifts to environmental news:

"A fast-moving wildfire has destroyed a historic lodge and a number of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The fire was sparked by lightning on the 4th of July and grew rapidly because of high winds and dry conditions. The park says the North Rim will be closed for the rest of the season."

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6. Innovative Healthcare Approach: Social Prescribing

Diving into health and wellness, Ritu Chatterjee introduces a novel strategy to combat chronic illnesses at [04:00]:

"Healthcare providers start by asking patients with chronic illness about things that give them joy or purpose, like dancing, music, time in nature or community service, all known to boost physical and mental health. Then they prescribe an activity in the patient's community."

This method, known as social prescribing, is highlighted as an effective tool already utilized in countries like the UK and Canada. Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art and Belonging, supports this approach.

At [04:30], the Public Media Advocate emphasizes the philosophy behind social prescribing:

"Social prescribing is flipping the script from focusing on what's the matter with you to focusing on what matters to you."

Chatterjee concludes at [04:35]:

"Studies in the UK and Canada show this approach boosts health and lowers the cost of care."

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7. Cyberattack on Sesame Street's Elmo

Concluding the news roundup, Johnston reports at [04:43] on a troubling cybersecurity incident:

"Sesame Street character Elmo was the target of a cyber attack over the weekend. Hackers took over his official account on X, posting a series of anti-Semitic and racist messages. Sesame Street says investigating."

This incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by popular media figures in the digital age.

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Final Notes:

Throughout the episode, Windsor Johnston maintains a steady narrative flow, seamlessly transitioning between diverse topics while providing listeners with essential information and expert perspectives. Notable quotes are interspersed with comprehensive reporting, ensuring that even those who did not listen to the podcast can grasp the critical issues discussed.

Transcript

[Public Media Advocate]

The House of Representatives has approved a White House request to claw back two years of previously approved funding for public media. The rescissions package now moves on to the Senate. This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it. Please take a stand for public media [e-mail] thank you.

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm windsor Johnston. The U.S. supreme Court has handed President Trump a win. NPR's Sequoyah Carrillo reports. The justices are allowing the administration to move ahead with plans to dismantle the Department of Education.

[Sequoyah Carrillo]

The court ruled to stay an injunction put in place last month by a federal judge in Massachusetts that had halted much of the Trump administration's moves to gut the department. The prior ruling had directed the administration to reinstate many of the nearly 1,400 workers it had laid off. This, this new order would allow those employees to be fired once again. Although this is only a temporary stay, it's a serious blow to the states and school districts who had filed the suit. Many advocates worry without an injunction, the department will be unsalvageable by the time a final ruling comes through. In her dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued only Congress has the authority to abolish the department. Sequoia Carrillo and NPR News In Texas.

[Windsor Johnston]

Hill country search and rescue teams are still at work as flood watches remain in effect more than a week after catastrophic flooding swept across the region. The death toll stands at 132, with at least 160 people still missing. Texas Public Radio's Marianne Navarro reports. Commissioners in Kerr county held a meeting today.

[Larry Litha]

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Litha says the state and federal government have continued to provide the necessary resources and assets needed to aid search and recovery efforts.

[Rob Kelly]

You know, how long is it going to take? You know, who knows? You know, I think we'll still go strong for another month or two, up to maybe six months, winding down as we move on.

[Larry Litha]

Search efforts were delayed on Sunday due to ongoing rain and rise in river levels. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly asked for patience during the meeting, saying emergency management continues to be an ongoing process in the county. I'm Marianne Navarro in San Antonio.

[Windsor Johnston]

President Trump welcomed business leaders today for a luncheon celebrating the White House faith office. And Danielle Kurtzleben reports the president celebrated a recent decision by the IRS that will allow churches to endorse political candidates.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

President Trump, joined by advisors and cabinet secretaries, spoke on a wide array of topics. But he particularly lauded a decision the IRS announced last week to allow houses of worship to endorse candidates without losing their tax exempt status, a rule known as the Johnson Amendment.

[President Trump]

Now, you see people, if they like somebody, they're able to talk about that somebody for office, right? Jenny? We're able to talk about a certain politician that has your values and likes your religion. It's okay.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Only one church had ever lost its tax exempt status. However, conservatives have claimed that the rule led to expensive investigations for some churches. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Windsor Johnston]

At the close on Wall street, the dow was up 88 points. This is NPR News in Washington. A fast moving wildfire has destroyed a historic lodge and a number of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The fire was sparked by lightning on the 4th of July and grew rapidly because of high winds and dry conditions. The park says the North Rim will be closed for the rest of the season. Nearly 6 in 10Americans suffer from a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease. Now, some American health care providers are using an unconventional approach to address these illnesses. As NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reports, it's already in use in other developed countries.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

Healthcare providers start by asking patients with chronic illness about things that give them joy or purpose, like dancing, music, time in nature or community service, all known to boost physical and mental health. Then they prescribe an activity in the patient's community. This approach is called social prescribing, says journalist Julia Hotz, who's written about this in her new book, the Connection Cure, the Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art and Belonging.

[Public Media Advocate]

Social prescribing is flipping the script from.

[Windsor Johnston]

Focusing on what's the matter with you.

[Public Media Advocate]

To focusing on what matters to you.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

Studies in the UK And Canada show this approach boosts health and lowers the cost of care. Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Sesame street character Elmo was the target of a cyber attack over the weekend. Hackers took over his official account on X, posting a series of anti Semitic and racist messages. Sesame street says investigating. I'm Winter Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Podcast Sponsor]

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